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Can bakeries adapt to the challenges of COVID19?

We are living in unprecedented times. Millions of people are staying home, schools and shops have closed and no one knows for how long. It is a confusing and worrying period, particularly for business owners. Where some businesses have closed, others simply can’t afford to and have had to find ways to adapt their business model in order to comply with the new laws and rules. In this month’s blog, we’re taking a look at some bakeries who have chosen to remain open and how they are managing during the COVID19 pandemic.
In London, GAILS Bakery has started offering local delivery of their baked goods but are also trying to support their suppliers who are struggling now their client base has reduced. As part of their home delivery, GAILs customers can also order daily essentials such as milk, eggs, flour cheese, veg boxes, salmon and of course, bread. https://gailsbread.co.uk/

GAILS are now offering fresh produce - photo @gailsbakery

Paul Rhodes Bakery is one on many businesses recognising the amazing work being done by NHS workers so they are offering these heroes 50% discount on their deliver boxes. Paul Rhodes has also made their house-milled wholemeal or plain flour available in 1.5kg bags, provided with a free starter so that you can start baking quicker. Paulrhodesbakery.co.uk

Down in the West Country, Little Bakehouse in Launceston, Cornwall is normally a kitchen & cafe. However since the lockdown was introduced, they are also offering home delivery. With a minimum order of 6 bread items, the customers can also now order frozen ‘bake at home’ sourdough croissants! https://www.littlebakehouse.co.uk/

Croissants from Little Bakehouse - photo @littlebakehouseatlaunceston

This is obviously a global pandemic and the problems businesses face are mirrored across the world. Brissa and Co in California is a Mexican influenced bakery, market and eatery. The shop is now closed but they have introduced ‘Dozen to your Door’. The customer can choose 12 items from their dessert menu, Brissa and Co pop them in a box and then they are delivered locally free of charge. https://www.brissaandcobakery.com/

New York based Kingston Bread & Bar have launched a pre-order service which their local customers can either collect of have delivered. To perfectly compliment their baked goods cold brew coffee and beer is also available. www.kingstonbread.com

Cold Brew Beer - Photo @kingstonbread

Lost Larson have instigated a wonderful ‘neighbor loaves’ scheme which allows their customers to add a ‘neighbor loaf’ on to their own order, once 40 loaf orders have been received the team will mix, ferment, shape, bake and pack the loaves to be distributed by Greater Chicago Food Depository to community members in need. www.lostlarson.com

Neighbour Loaves are helping those in need - Photo @lostlarson

Back to the UK now as we head up to Leeds and a new business called doh’hut. Normally specialising in donuts, they’ve had to completely change to adapt to the new normal. They are now offering a deli menu, delivered using deliveroo. Additionally they are also offering essentials such as fruit, veg and milk and asking their customers what items they could add to their current offerings. They are now also trialling late night opening so that evening snackers can get their donut fix delivered straight to their door! The owners of doh’hut are a really good example of being dynamic and flexible when things get really tough. https://www.facebook.com/pg/dohhut

This is just a small snapshot of what’s happening to bakeries across the world. We have been fascinated by the innovation and resilience of businesses to adapt and overcome the problems that this lockdown has brought to them. If you are a business owner in similar circumstances, we wanted to wish you the best of luck.
Here at Magnacool we are able to work remotely and are available as normal for enquiries and orders. If you’d like to get in touch you can by emailing us on info@magnacool.co.uk or calling us on +44 (0) 1159 659539.